The Reliance by M. L. Tyndall

Author:M. L. Tyndall
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781618430250
Publisher: Mission Books

Chapter Twenty-One

Mutiny

Merrick braced himself for the onslaught. So this would be how it ended for the great Captain Merrick, killed by a pack of lowlife miscreants on board a villainous ship—not exactly as he’d envisioned it.

Hanson swished his cutlass through the air in front of him and licked his scarred lips. Two other pirates eased toward Merrick, drawing their weapons.

“If you kill me, you’ll still be left with Captain Collier when he awakens.” Merrick inched his hand toward his cutlass while maintaining a threatening gaze upon the men. He must give these pirates a reason to keep him alive. He hoped they would remember how he’d saved Kale and not want to be left at Collier’s mercy.

“We can throw ye both overboard then, says I.” Hanson glowered at him, flinging his stringy brown hair behind him.

Merrick studied his enemy, spotting ignorance behind his ravenous glare. Ravenous for treasure. That was what every pirate wanted, even more than power.

“Very well. Who will command the ship then? You? What do you know of navigating through these seas? How many battles have you commanded?” Merrick cocked one eyebrow and grinned as the pirates began to mumble amongst themselves.

“Perhaps you’ve heard of my successes as captain of the Redemption and the vast treasure I procured for those who sailed under my flag.”

Assenting grunts passed over the crowd. The two pirates halted.

Hanson pointed a wavering sword at Merrick. “Who’s to say I can’t do better than the likes o’ ye?”

“Hanson, ye can’t find yer own backside in the dark,” one pirate shouted, sending chortles shooting into the air.

Hanson’s jaw tightened. His face grew a strange shade of purple. His thinning, mud-colored hair flapped in the wind.

“I say we let Cap’n Merrick stay,” one man yelled.

Concurring groans followed.

“And if Hanson wants to challenge ’im, let ’im do so by the articles.”

“Aye, aye” the pirates chanted. “A fight to the death.”

“A fight to the death!” The crew repeated in unison, thrusting their fists in the air.

Bracing his hand on the hilt of his cutlass, Merrick stood his ground. He knew the cantankerous pirate would not have the courage to confront Merrick alone in a fair fight.

Hanson shuffled his feet, his slippery gaze shifting between Merrick’s eyes and the cutlass hanging at his side. He bared his teeth behind scarred lips, then lowered his sword and glowered at Merrick before skulking away.

“Let’s throw Collier to the sharks, says I,” Styles yelled.

Shouts of dissent clashed with cheers of agreement, and a heated argument broke out. Throwing Collier overboard would solve many of Merrick’s problems. He would not only gain a ship of his own, but also save this crew from a murderous tyrant. Yet as he listened to the men arguing, he knew he could not bring himself to do it—at least not when the man was unconscious. Besides, he still needed Collier’s association with Morgan to arrange a meeting.

Merrick let out a shrill whistle, drawing their attention. “I say let him live,” he bellowed above the fading clamor. “’Tis a coward’s way out to throw a man overboard when he’s too drunk to swim.

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